Welcome to the Vitamin B12 blog! Find information on topics related to vitamin B12. This blog is dedicated to providing up to date research, news and resources pertaining to vitamin B12, general health information surrounding the benefits of vitamin B12. Learn from, and contribute to information on B12, vitamin B12 and other connected subjects. Feel free to participate in blog discussions and contribute your opinion on the related topics covered in the Vitamin B12 blog.

Posts Tagged ‘Vitamin B12 and nerve health’

Peripheral neuropathy is one of the earliest signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, causing an assortment of ailments such as painful tingling in the hands and feet, muscle spasms, and shortness of breath. Untreated, peripheral neuropathy from pernicious anemia, a common cause of low vitamin B12 levels, can result in severe irreversible nerve damage.

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is any type of nerve damage that occurs in the peripheral nervous system, impairing your ability to control bodily movements, in addition to involuntary reactions such as digestion, heart rate, and circulation.

Though pernicious anemia is no longer considered a mortality risk, there are still cases of infants subjected to vitamin B12 deficiency who have suffered fatalities from long-term untreated peripheral neuropathy.

How does vitamin B12 deficiency cause peripheral neuropathy?

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential nutrient for your nervous system, as it helps to sustain myelin, a fatty substance that coats your nerve cells.

The myelin sheath protects your delicate nerve cell structures from outside harm, in addition to promoting fast, efficient intercellular communication within the nervous system. Without myelin, your nerve cells would be vulnerable to attack by harmful bacteria, viruses, or toxins.

For quicker results, pernicious anemia patients have the option of co-supplementing with over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin B12, as there is no upper limit for vitamin B12 dosage.

This is an especially good option when health insurance benefits cover only a minimal portion of vitamin B12, and fail to provide sufficient vitamin B12 supplementation to effectively cure peripheral neuropathy symptoms.

Please tell us…

Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.